First Year Seminars
The First Year Seminars are a group of courses that are a part of the First Year Program at UW-Green Bay. The seminars are designed to provide students with an educational experience characterized by dynamic learning and interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving. The courses provide high quality interactions with the professor and classmates in a small size seminar environment. The Seminars also encourage students to connect with the campus community through a variety of activities. Each seminar fulfills a General Education requirement dependent upon the area in which it is offered. They also fulfill a lower level writing emphasis requirement.
Although freshman seminars vary in topics, all have common elements. They are:
- To promote engagement and to facilitate a positive adjustment to college.
- To introduce students to a problem-focused, interdisciplinary education.
- To promote the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills.
- To develop communication skills.
- To promote information literarcy.
First Year Seminars - Fall 2011
ART 198: From One Many:
Repetition in Art & Design (MW 2:15 – 3:35 PM)
Students will look at art and design with particular focus on
repetition and the use of multiples to communicate, influence, and
play with ideas in an interdisciplinary manner.
Repetition will be looked at metaphorically, culturally, and
spiritually from multiple visual perspectives including different
viewpoints. This course
will focus on developing visual idea research skills, problem
solving through hands-on projects, written case studies and response
papers, along with group in-process dialogue.
This course will require student to think creatively and
challenge notions about what art is and how art functions in our
everyday world. (FA)
AVD 198: Exploring the
Jazz Loft (MWF 11:40-12:45)
This course is a First Year Seminar course designed to study the
photographs and tapes of W. Eugene Smith from 1957 to 1965 in New
York City. Smith's huge
archive of materials from this transitional time in U.S. history is
used as a keystone in discussions of such diverse topics as jazz
history, Civil Rights, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and of the
nature of artists and their reactions to their surroundings. (FA)
COMM SCI 198:
Inter-DISNEY-plinarity (MW 12:45 – 2:05)
This course will examine the world of Disney through an interdisciplinary lens. We will examine Disney through an interdisciplinary context that will include many fields: government/politics, planning, policy analysis, economics, race/ethnicity, gender and culture, psychology, and many more. This course will help you develop not only a fuller appreciation for Disney, but perhaps more importantly show the power of interdisciplinary thinking. (SS2)
DJS 198: Dis This!
Disability Pride, Politics, and Culture (TR 12:30 – 1:50)
This course examines the changing meanings of disability, U. S.
disability history, the U. S. disability rights movement, and
various aspects of disability pride and culture.
We will use films, books, and a variety of primary source
materials to analyze the widely diverse and rich lives of people
with disabilities – for whom disability matters, but who also define
themselves according to and whose lives are shaped by race,
sexuality, class, gender, political ideology, athleticism, their
favorite hobby, and whether or not they like yappy dogs.
(SS2)
DJS 198:
Reading the Times (MW 2:15 – 3:35)
Through daily readings of and discussions about the latest news
stories and opinion columns in the New York Times, students
will become knowledgeable about and familiar with current national
and international affairs and the public debates that address those
events and developments. (SS1)
GEOSCI 222: Ocean of Air: Weather and Climate (MWF 12:45 – 1:40)
Fundamental processes of the atmosphere, the resulting weather and climate, and the effects of the atmosphere on other aspects of the earth’s environments and on humans (NPS1)
HUM BIOL 202: Ethnic
Minorities in Science (TR 12:20 – 1:50)
The history and culture of science in the US will be examined, in
order to understand what has led to the current under-representation
of ethnic minorities in science. The often overlooked contributions
of scientists who are members of ethnic minorities will be
recognized. (Eth Stud)
HUM DEV 198: Children’s
TV: More than ABC’s and
123’s (MW 12:45 – 2:05)
This course is a first year seminar course that will introduce
students to the impact television has on the developing child.
A large part of the course will be devoted to discussion of
Sesame Street, the goal of
answering questions such as: (1) How is research on education
content integrated into the production of the show?, (2) How has
this show been integrated into other cultures?, (3) What are
methodological issues in conducting media-based research with young
children?, and (4) What is the longitudinal impact of children
viewing educational versus non-educational television?
As each topic is introduced through the use of the text
“G” is for Growing,
additional readings and viewings of past and current television
shows will be required to extend the discussion beyond
Sesame Street.
In general, students will be introduced to the world of
research through a topic of study – children’s television – with
which student shave likely had much experience. (SS2)
HUM DEV 198: Love and
Lust in America (MW 2:15 - 3:35)
This course is an interdisciplinary exploration into the concepts of
romantic love and sexuality in American culture. Included will be a
review of the history of these topics in the U.S., an overview of
the scientific study of lust and love, an examination of media
portrayals and the impact of these portrayals, and the role of
politics in lust and love in the U.S. (SS2)
HUM STUD 198:
Hugging Trees: Humanity, Morality, and the Planet (MW 2:15 –
3:35)
In this course we’ll explore the ethical dimensions to behaviors and
practices that threaten the health of our planet.
Topics will include the ethical treatment of our planet’s
animals, trees, oceans, and soils.
Specific topics will include climate change, genetically
modified foos, soil erosion, ecosystem disruption, endangered
species and the like. We
will strive to see and understand each issue from many different
perspectives, always hoping to think and learn our way to a better
future. (HS3)
HUM STUD 198: Playing
Dress-Up: Children and
the Fashion of Violence (TR 12:30 - 1:50)
This course
centers on Suzanne Collins' young-adult novel trilogy, "The Hunger
Games," with the goal of exploring larger issues of culture and
violence as they relate to children.
Our interdisciplinary exploration will extend into secondary
readings on contemporary issues involving children and violence
(such as child soldiers, children and media violence, etc.). (HS2)
PEA 198:
Introduction to Leadership (M 5:15 – 8:35)
This course explores leadership and followership – definitions,
concepts, theories, styles, and skills – and provides a framework
for further study and practice across disciplines and involvements.
(SS2)
URS 198:
Animals and Society (MWF 12:45 – 1:40)
This course focuses on the complex relations between humans and
animals. How do we determine, which animals are wild, food, or pets?
What impact do these interactions have on the social, economic, and
political life of a culture? The topics covered in this class help
explore our ongoing relationship with animals as pets, food sources,
and wildlife and how they change in an era bombarded with concerns
about environmental degradation and economic fluctuations. This
course requires an interdisciplinary perspective and an emphasis on
critical thinking. (SS1)